Extension device



April 25, 1933- E. G. cARLsoN 1,905,681

EXTENSION DEVICE Filed DeG. 18, 1930 k lllllllllllllllllllllli l lllmnnmnunmmlllll Iiillhmlmillisilllllmmmnunum i il!!lllumnmnnumllllll Killllummunnmlllll' V ly l limi IN V EN TOR.

Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNITED STATES PA'rEN OFFICE;

EDWIN G. CARLSON, OF RIVERSIDE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO SPEIDEL CO., 0F PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A FIRM AND EUGEN SPEIDEL oHAiN EXTENSION DEVICE Application filed December 18, 1930. Serial No. 503,269.

This invention relates to an extension de vice for wrist watch bracelets, and has for its object to provide an adjustable connection for joining the bracelet to the device, whereby the wrist encircling size of the bracelet may be varied.

Another object of this invention is the locking of the bracelet adjusting device in any one of a plurality of dierent positions to positively prevent accidental removal thereof.

Another object of this invention is the prof vision of an opening in the extension device to register with openings in the links so as to hide the extension device from view and leave but a small ornamental portion thereof posed to enhance the appearance of the con'- struction.

A further object ofthe invention is the provision of an opening running lengthways of the extension device which will register with openings in the bracelet regardless of the adjustment of the 'bracelet relative to the device.

A still further object of the invention the stiifening of the arms along the opening in the device to prevent their being distorted or twisted when in use.

With these and other objects and advantageous features in view, the invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, and more particularly set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the bracelet with the extension device therein;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the extension device in unfolded position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the device in unfolded position, looking at the top thereof;

Fig. 5 is a central sectional view with the device in folded position;

Fig. 6 is a section of the device on line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Fig. 7 is a section on linej7-7 of Figure 3;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the locking member;

and yet an extended length Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing thelockooivrr'osnn or FREDERIC srnrnnr.

ing member swung to inoperative position with the arms of the connector member moved inwardly toward each other to disen- Vgage their trunnions or ngers from the open- Vingsv in the channel walls of one of the'end sections Fig. 10 is a section through the fastening means for holding the sect-ions in folded poL sition.

Bracelets formed of a series of frame links having openings therein are used about the wrist to prevent `heating and discomfort therefrom, and it is desirable to insert eX'- tension devices into such chains which cooperate therewith to an extent to harmonize in appearance therewith as much as possible. In such devices, a large extension is desired to permit thebraoelet to be passed over the hand without disconnecting any of the parts, of such devices is undesirable as detracting from the appearance of the chain;and in order that the eX- tension device may be partiallyvhidden, I

VYhave caused the samel to be beneath a' portion of the bracelet and have provided'an opening to register with the openings in the links so that the extension device will not appear therethrough, and in order that the *dentaly detachment due to flexing action when in use; and the following is a detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention, illustrating the preferred means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished. l

With reference to the drawing, 11 designates one of the links of the chain having cross or end bars 12 which-are hingedly connected together by links 13.

Interposed between the ends of the chain is an extension device comprising sections 14, 15 and 16. The section 14 is provided with a pair of arms 17 spaced apart and to which are hinged as at 19 a pair of arms 18 of the section 15. The arms 17 are provided with stiffening ribs 37 and flanges 20 extending along the edges of the same forming each of the arms into a generally channel-shaped portion which receives the arms 18 of the section 15 for compact folding relation of the parts. The section 16 is generally channel-shaped in cross-section with Walls 21 having openings 22 therein for receiving the fingers or trunnions 23 of the arms 24 of a connector link 25, to which the end link of the chain is suitably connected by a link 13.

' The arms 24 may be sprung or moved toward each other againstV their inherent'tension to position the fingers 23 in a selected pair of oppositely disposed Y openings 22 along the length of the channel section 16,

the same being held in position by the swinging of the lock member 29, which is pivoted upon the pin 26 which hingedly connects sections 15 and 16, to a position between the projections 27 extending -inwardly toward each other from the arms 24. Recesses 28 vare formed at spaced intervals in line with the openings 22 along the lock member 29 and on opposite sides thereof to receive the yielding projections 27 which may be snapped thereinto in any one of the adjusted positions of the member 29 along the section 16.

When the extension device is in folded position, the openings 30V of each of the links will register with the space or opening 31 between the arms 17 and 18 and the width of the stock of the frame links 11 is such as to substantially hide the arms from view, and as there is no laterally eX- l tending portion at the ends of the arms, but

rather a space 32, the chain will have the same appearance in lying on the top of the device regardless of its relative position along the opening 31, thus no objectionable end bar is provided at 32 which will register with the chain when in but one adjusted position.

The sections are held in folded position by spring fingers 33 snapping through an opening 34, as illustrated in Figure 10, to hold the device in folded position. These lingers 33 are spaced to receive the lock member 29 for compactvfolding of the parts.

The opposite end of the bracelet may be connected to the section 14 by means of a pin 35 and oldable sheet metal member 36 which may be bent about the cross bar 12 of the end link of the chain.

While I have described certain construction forms" which embody the principles of my invention, it is obvious that other desired changes in arrangement may be made within the spirit and the scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an extension device, a plurality of eX- tensible sections hinged together, means in one end section for adjustably securing a chain thereto comprising opposite openings in said section, a member having movable arms withportions entering said openings to adjustably position said member, and means'of a width to be moved between said arms for blocking lateral movement of said arms for withdrawing said portions from said openings.

2. In an extension device, a plurality of sections hinged together the end section being channel-shaped in cross-section and having a plurality of pairs of openings in its o-pposite side walls, a member having movable arms with linger portions to engage the selected pair of openings to adjustably position the member therein, and a lockA member of a width to be movable between said arms to block the movement of said arms toward each ,other andthe withdrawal of said fingers vfrom said openings.

3. In an extension device, a plurality of sections hinged together the end section be-A withdrawal of said fingers from said open-r ings.

4. In an extension device, a plurality of sections hinged together the end sectionbeing channel-shaped in cross-section and having a plurality of pairs of openings in its opv,

posite side walls, a member having movable arms with linger portions to engage the selected pair of openings to adjustably position the member therein, a lock member pivoted to said channel section to swing between said arms to prevent movement of said arms toward each other and withdrawal of said lingers from said openings, and cooperating means between said arms and lock member to hold said lock member in working position Y 5. In an extension device, a plurality of sections hinged together the end section be- Y ing channel-shaped in cross-section and having a plurality of pairs of openings in its opposite side walls, a member having movable arms with finger portions to engage the selected pair of openings to adj ustably position the member therein, projections on said arms extending toward each other, and va lock member on said channel section and movable between said projections to block movement of the arms toward each other.

6. In an extension device, a plurality of sections hinged together the end section being channel-shaped in cross-section and having a plurality of pairs of openings in its opposite side walls, a member having movable arms with finger portions to engage the selected pair of openings to adjustably position the member therein, projections on said arms eX- tending toward each other, a lock member on said channel section movable between said projections to block movement of the arms toward each other, and recess and detent interengaging means on said projections and lock member to prevent movement-of said member when in blocking position.

7. In an extension device, a plurality of sections hinged together the end section being channel-shaped in cross-section and having a plurality of pairs of openings in its opposite side walls, a member having movable arms with finger portions to engage the selected pair of openings to adjustably position the member therein, projections on said arms extending toward each other, a lock member on said channel section movable between said projections to block movement of the arms toward each other, said projections being pointed, and recesses along said lock member on opposite sides thereof to receive said projections in the selected position and frictionally retain said lock member in position.

8. In an extension device, a pair of overlying sections each with a pair of arms extending therefrom with the ends of the pair of arms of the upper section hinged to the ends of the pair of arms of the lower section, leaving an open portion between the arms along their length and at their ends when in folded position, the stock of one of said sections being deflected for stiening one pair of said arms against bending.

9. In an extension device, a pair of overlying sections each with a pair of arms eX- tending therefrom with the ends of the pair of arms of the upper section hinged to the ends of the pair of arms of the lower section, leaving an open portion between the arms along their length and at their ends when in folded position, the pair of arms of one section being channel-shaped in cross-section L and the pair of arms of the other section being of a width to fit in said channel arms when in folded position.

l0. In an extension device, a pair of overlying sections each with a pair of arms exs tending therefrom with the ends of the pair of arms of the upper section hinged to the ends of the pair of arms of the lower section, leaving an open portion between the arms along their length and at their ends in folded G position, and iianges along the edges of said arms of one of said sections to stien the same against bending.`

l1. An extension device for an open chain link bracelet comprising a pair of overlying sections with spaced projecting arms` hinged together at their ends and unconnected laterally leaving a continuously open unobstructed space between said arms from the pivoted free ends for at least half the length of said sections when in folded position, and means for adjustably connecting a link bracelet to said device with the openings in the links registering with the space between said arms regardless of the position of said links when the extension device is in folded position, so as to give the appearance of a continuous chain.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

EDWIN G. CARLSON. 

